What I’m Watching: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 2, Episode 18 “The Frenemy of My Enemy” (B)

This episode’s title is perfectly emblematic of the fact that this show isn’t ever quite sure whether it’s supposed to be funny or serious, and often gets caught somewhere in the middle. This was another packed hour which saw everyone running in different directions and converging in the most chaotic of ways. I have trouble believing that Coulson would so easily team up with Ward and that he would go along with it, even treating Coulson like his boss again. I do think it’s a good place for Ward to be, and also to have Agent 33 only partially on their side. Yet Gordon swooping in to take Skye away and May and Simmons getting picture just at the very moment that Coulson and Ward seemed like buddies felt a bit convenient, and there’s no way that things turn out positively going forward, especially since May has decided to trust Bobbie. Given the doubt that both Bobbie and Mack are expressing, it’s probably not the worst idea, but who has time for extra bureaucracy when so much is happening so quickly? And where does Cal fall in all this, weirdly obsessed with ice cream and other novelties that don’t seem to exist in Milwaukee anymore? This show’s signature tone did succeed well in the opening scene in which Fitz was running away from his tail and Coulson got the satisfaction of laughing at one of the agents as they ran right into the invisible bus, an understandable mistake yet a funny one nonetheless.